Springbok lock Lood de Jager has been suspended for four matches following his red card in South Africa’s win over France in Paris on Saturday.
De Jager was sent off in the first half of the 32-17 victory after making a no-arms tackle on French fullback Thomas Ramos. The incident drew immediate attention from referee Angus Gardner, who upgraded the offence to a red card after consultation with the TMO.
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The 32-year-old will now miss the remainder of the Boks’ November internationals – including Tests against Italy, Ireland and Wales – as well as a Japan Rugby League One fixture for his club, Wild Knights, against Brave Lupus in December. The last match of De Jager’s suspension could be lifted if he agrees to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme.
De Jager’s suspension is a blow for the Springboks, who are already managing a heavy workload among their senior forwards after a bruising start to the European tour.
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FULL DISCIPLINARY UPDATE
South Africa number 5, Lood de Jager, appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee this afternoon via video link having received a red card for an act of foul play contrary to Law 9.16 in the match between France and South Africa on Saturday 8th November 2025.
The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Jennifer Donovan (Ireland), joined by former referees Val Toma (Romania) and Donal Courtney (Ireland).
The Disciplinary Committee has upheld the red card issued to the player and by applying World Rugby’s sanctioning provisions, have determined that the mid-range entry point of six weeks/matches was appropriate. Mitigating factors were applied by the Committee reducing the six-week entry point by two weeks, thus reducing the final sanction to four weeks/matches.
The suspension will cover the following matches:
15 November 2025 – Italy vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
22 November 2025 – Ireland vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
29 November 2025 – Wales vs South Africa, Quilter Nations Series
14 December 2025 – Wild Knights v Toshiba Brave Lupus, Japan League One *
* The player has additionally been given permission to apply to take part in World Rugby’s Coaching Intervention Programme to substitute the final match of their sanction which is aimed at modifying specific techniques and technical issues that contributed to the foul play. Further information can be found here.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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